Tag: bread

Another hymn for Maundy Thursday from Marjorie Dobson

Another hymn for Maundy Thursday from Marjorie Dobson (see also 'A towel and a basin')

1	At the table of communion 
	Jesus spoke with heavy heart 
	of the pain of separation, 
	soon to tear them all apart.
	Listening without understanding, 
	too absorbed with food and wine, 
	carefree friends could read no meaning 
	in his simple words and sign.
	
2	Bread was broken, as his body:  
	wine, a symbol of his blood. 
	Yet his call to keep that memory 
	was not clearly understood.
	Judas left, but no one noticed, 
	thought his business was his own.
	Jesus, looking round the table, 
	knew himself to be alone.
	
3	As they sang their psalm that evening, 
	then went out into the night 
	innocent of apprehension, 
	unprepared for fear or flight, 
	how their hopes and dreams were shattered, 
	confidence was turned to dread 
	and as chaos ruled around them, 
	one by one they turned and fled.
	
4	As they witnessed pain and horror-
	trial, cross and guarded tomb-
	they remembered Jesus' warning 
	given in that upper room.
	Struggling hard to find the meaning, 
	in symbolic word and sign. 
	they would find that same communion 
	we still share in bread and wine.

Marjorie Dobson (born 1940)
Words © 2019 © Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: 8 7 8 7 8 7 8 7
Tunes: DIM OND IESU; LEWIS FOLK MELODY
From UNRAVELLING THE MYSTERIES, along with poems and other readings.

The crumbs that spoke of broken bread – A hymn inspired by John 6: 51 – 58

The crumbs that spoke of broken bread - inspired by John 6: 51-58

1	The crumbs that spoke of broken bread, 
	remembered words that had been said, 
	the scattered fragments of a meal 
	had left them thinking, 'was this real'.
	His flesh was torn, yes crucified, 
	it left them wond'ring, had he lied, 
	yet in another upper room, 
	he'd share again beyond that tomb.
	
2	They recognised the words he said, 
	they shared again that living bread, 
	and now the metaphor was real 
	within this simple, sacred meal. 
	Then looking in each other's face 
	they recognised a means of grace, 
	the meal they shared had brought Christ near, 
	they cast out one another's fear.
	
3	The love that held them was profound, 
	forever held, forever bound 
	and still today in every place 
	where bread is broken there is grace.
	So take the bread and pour the wine 
	and let this moment form a sign 
	for every human come to birth, 
	that love will never leave this earth.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2012 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: DLM
Tunes: YE BANKS AND BRAES; MERTHYR TYDFIL